Swerts Chris, Vandevelde Stijn, VanDerNagel Joanneke E L, Vanderplasschen Wouter, Claes Claudia, De Maeyer Jessica
University College Ghent, Faculty of Education, Health and Social Work, Department of Orthopedagogy-Special Education, Centre of Expertise E-QUAL, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Ghent University, Department of Special Needs Education, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Res Dev Disabil. 2017 Apr;63:107-117. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2016.03.019. Epub 2016 Apr 6.
Over the past decades, there has been increased scientific and clinical interest in substance use among individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). Despite raised interest and awareness in the topic, lack of supportive data on prevalence and risk factors highlights the need for ongoing research. The aims of this cross-sectional multicenter study were to examine the nature and extent of substance use in individuals with ID living independently, to investigate group differences in substance use and related problems, and to explore the role of substance-related knowledge and attitudes in substance use behaviors.
Participants were 123 individuals with mild to moderate ID receiving support from independent living services. Data were gathered by means of a structured interview strategy (i.e. the Substance Use and Misuse in Intellectual Disability-Questionnaire; SumID-Q).
Findings revealed that rates of lifetime use of licit and illicit substances were higher than those found in earlier studies among individuals with ID and the general population. While cannabis use was the only illicit substance reported, current tobacco and alcohol use were shown to be highly prevalent (48%-45.5%). Rates for the latter were similar to earlier studies among community samples of individuals with ID. In contrast to our hypotheses, few group differences in substance use behaviors were observed. Male gender was associated with age of onset of alcohol and tobacco use and tobacco use-related problems, while younger age was found to be associated with lifetime use of cannabis. No evidence was found regarding the role of knowledge; however, smokers and alcohol users rated tobacco and alcohol use more positively.
This study demonstrated that individuals with ID living independently use a wide range of licit and illicit substances and present divergent levels and patterns of substance use. Notwithstanding the role of personal choice in substance use, more research is needed to better understand the nature and extent of substance use and related problems, as well as the role of substance-related knowledge and attitudes in individuals with ID.
在过去几十年中，科学和临床领域对智力残疾（ID）个体的物质使用问题愈发关注。尽管对该主题的关注度和认识有所提高，但关于患病率和风险因素的支持性数据匮乏，这凸显了持续开展研究的必要性。这项横断面多中心研究的目的是调查独立生活的ID个体物质使用的性质和程度，探究物质使用及相关问题的群体差异，并探讨与物质相关的知识和态度在物质使用行为中的作用。
参与者为123名接受独立生活服务支持的轻度至中度ID个体。数据通过结构化访谈策略（即《智力残疾中的物质使用与滥用问卷》；SumID-Q）收集。
研究结果显示，合法和非法物质的终生使用率高于先前在ID个体和普通人群中开展的研究。虽然大麻使用是唯一报告的非法物质，但当前烟草和酒精使用的患病率很高（48%-45.5%）。后者的患病率与先前在ID个体社区样本中的研究相似。与我们的假设相反，在物质使用行为方面几乎未观察到群体差异。男性与酒精和烟草使用的起始年龄以及与烟草使用相关的问题有关，而较年轻的年龄与大麻的终生使用有关。未发现有关知识作用的证据；然而，吸烟者和饮酒者对烟草和酒精使用的评价更为积极。
本研究表明，独立生活的ID个体使用多种合法和非法物质，且物质使用水平和模式各不相同。尽管个人选择在物质使用中起作用，但仍需要更多研究来更好地理解物质使用及相关问题的性质和程度，以及与物质相关的知识和态度在ID个体中的作用。
